A Common Vision

First released in 2008, the Common Vision describes six realistic steps companies can take to develop and implement a sustainable seafood policy. The updated version, released in 2016, reflects industry progress and changes in the sustainable seafood landscape.

Additions include recommendations to:

Address social issues like human rights violations and labor exploitation,

Verify sustainability by tracing products back through the supply chain, and

Require transparency and progress from fishery and aquaculture improvement projects.

Steps to Achieve a Common Vision for Sustainable Seafood

Make a Public Commitment – Develop a comprehensive policy on sustainable seafood that includes time-bound objectives for addressing environmental and social issues and traceability.

Be Transparent – Make information regarding the environmental and social performance of seafood products publicly available and report on progress against your sustainable seafood commitment.

Educate Staff, Customers, and Vendors – Educate employees, customers, suppliers, and other key stakeholders about sustainable seafood, including the importance of addressing environmental and social issues and working toward full traceability.

Support Improvements in Fisheries and Aquaculture – Engage in policy and management reform that leads to positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes in fisheries and aquaculture production, including ensuring implementation of core labor standards.

The Common Vision is accompanied by a bank of online resources for seafood businesses. The Social Resource Center and Traceability Resource Center emphasize the concerns and rationale for addressing human rights, traceability, and other social and economic issues affecting seafood supply chains.